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An ambulance service has revealed details about some of the inappropriate 999 calls it has received over the last year.
Of the 1,066,630 incidents South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) dealt with between 1 January and 31 December 2024, 26% of these did not require an ambulance response, including:
- A hurt finger while playing football
- A lost walking stick
- A lost pair of keys
- A bad nightmare
- Someone who had fallen off a chair, while already in hospital
This January, SWASFT is reminding people to use its services responsibly and only call 999 in a genuine life-threatening emergency. The Trust is asking people to think carefully about whether their situation truly warrants an emergency response before dialling.
“People call 999 when they or someone else is desperately ill or injured and need urgent medical attention. These calls are for situations where minutes matter and lives are at risk.
“Inappropriate calls tie up our emergency lines and divert valuable resources away from those in genuine need, such as people who have stopped breathing, are unconscious, or are experiencing a serious medical emergency.
“As we start a new year, we ’re reminding people to use 999 responsibly and only for life-threatening emergencies. For non-urgent health concerns, there are faster and more suitable options available can provide quicker and more appropriate care . We understand that some callers with non-urgent complaints genuinely need help, but it’s essential to keep 999 available for those who are facing the most critical emergencies.”
William Lee, Assistant Director of Operations at SWASFT.
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